Bangkok, Sep 1 (IANS) The Thai king on Friday announced a reduction in the prison sentence of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from an initial eight years to one year.

The 74-year-old former Prime Minister ended his exile of more than 15 years and returned to Thailand 10 days ago, but was soon detained and faced an eight-year prison sentence, Xinhua news agency reported.

Thaksin was Thailand's premier from 2001 to 2006 but had been in self-exile abroad since 2008.